New Red-Dots Moving the Market Forward

With more than 40 red-dot manufacturers in the U.S. market, the 2025–2026 cycle has been packed with new introductions and genuinely useful innovation.

We’ve seen many new optics that are moving the category forward. Notable advances include: enclosed/sealed emitters, micro-thermals, multi-reticle systems (dot, circle, circle-dot), firearm-specific mounting footprints, dot color options, smarter power management (solar failover, motion-activation, sleep modes), direct mounting, worry-free durability, and higher water-submersion ratings.

Handgun shooters who were once skeptical of red-dots now have options that solve historic issues around durability, mounting and runtime. Rifle and shotgun shooters are getting larger windows, prismatic options with etched reticles, longer runtimes, and even optics that automatically change reticles when you flip a magnifier in or out.

Below are a few highlighted optics brands with new releases as of 2025, SHOT Show 2026 introductions, plus a few featured optics we have already had hands-on testing with that feature some of these innovations.

Aimpoint COA (Glock A-CUT)
Enclosed micro pistol optic first released in the Glock COA pistols using Aimpoint’s proprietary A-Cut mounting interface with exclusivity that ended in January 2026. OEM availability of the A-Cut will be widely available with approximately 30 manufacturers slated to offer COA compatible slide cuts including Springfield and Smith & Wesson.

• 3.5-MOA dot with 50,000 hours runtime from a CR2032 battery
• Four night-vision compatible settings and eight daylight settings
• Ultra-compact 7075-T6 aluminum housing with high-shear-strength A-Cut mount
• Submersible to 82 feet
• MSRP: $599.

Aimpoint Duty RDS MR (Multi-Reticle)
A duty-focused and priced enclosed red-dot for law enforcement and professional users.

• Multi-reticle system: 2-MOA dot, 65-MOA ring, or dot-ring combo
• Constant-on, 30,000-hour runtime (setting 7) from a single battery
• One off position, four night-vision compatible settings, eight daylight settings
• Recessed lenses and rugged housing for impact and debris protection
• Submersible to 80 feet
• MSRP: $514

Athlon Optics - Offering fully multi-coated lenses for enhanced light transmission, up to 50,000-hour battery life and waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof; nitrogen-purged on most new models.

Athlon Optics - Midas Blaze, Strobe & Talos EDC 

• Rugged aircraft-grade aluminum housing, 2- or 3-MOA red-dot
• Picatinny mount with included risers for lower and 1/3 co-witness heights
• Options: Motion sensor activation and 50,000-hour battery life
• Picatinny mount for Blaze & Strobe, RMSc footprint Talos EDC
• MSRP: $125 - $249 depending on model

Athlon Optics - Midas Flare Prism Series (1× / 3× / 5×)
Fixed-magnification prism optics for shooters who prefer etched reticles.

• 1×, 3×, and 5× magnification options
• Dual-color (red/green) illuminated etched reticle with multiple brightness levels
• Prism design for compact size and vivid imaging
• Nitrogen-purged, waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof housings
• Etched reticle remains visible even with illumination off
• MSRP: $324-$375

Burris Optics - FastFire E (Enclosed)
Enclosed-emitter evolution of the FastFire line, highlighted around SHOT 2026.

• ACRO-style footprint
• 3.5-MOA dot (red or green) with 60,000-hour battery life
• Fully enclosed, machined aluminum housing – waterproof, shockproof, fog-proof
• Side-loading battery compartment
• Suitable for pistols, shotguns, carbines, and harsh outdoor conditions
• MSRP: $420

Bushnell - RXE-MR1
Enclosed red-dot with a simple, low-profile footprint for rifle and shotguns.

• 3-MOA dot with circle-style reticle option
• Shake Awake motion-activation to conserve power
• 12 illumination settings
• Deltapoint Pro footprint
• Top-loading battery compartment with up to four-year runtime
• MSRP: $349

EOTech - HWS EXPS3-HD
Latest evolution of EOTech’s holographic weapon sight line with billet unibody design.

• Shake a Wake - 1,000-hour runtime via CR123 power.
• Seven day and four night-vision settings, plus auto brightness and auto-sleep setting
• Simplified rotary control knob and programmable sleep modes
• Upgraded EOTech ruggedness for environmental conditions
• MSRP: $999

EOTech - EFLX-HD / EXP3S HD EFLX (Open Emitter)
Open-emitter pistol/shotgun red-dot focused on a wide field of view 
Featured on the Ruger RXM.

• Large window for wide situational awareness and fast target acquisition
• Dot options: 3-MOA or 6-MOA
• Side-loading CR2032 battery
• ~20,000 hours runtime
• Eight daylight and one NV setting
• Programmable auto-off/sleep modes to conserve power
• Dual footprint RMSc & Deltapoint Pro
• MSRP: $359

EOTech - EFLX-HD / EXP3S HD EFLX-CE (Closed Emitter)
Closed-emitter variant for extra emitter protection in harsh environments 
Featured on the Springfield Echelon.

• Closed housing protects LED from debris, weather, and impact
• Side-loading CR2032 batteryUp to ~25K hours of runtime
• Selectable reticles: 3-MOA dot, 42-MOA ring, dot-ring combo
• Programmable sleep modes: 10 minutes, 1 hour, 12 hours, or disabled
• Shake-Awake technology for instant activation
• Dual-footprint compatibility: Deltapoint Pro or Shield RMSc mounts
• MSRP: $479.

Holosun - Holosun introduced many new optics in late 2025 and early 2026 and this is only a partial list.

Holosun - AEMS-MICRO & AEMS-MACRO
Compact enclosed red-dots with integrated solar panels and multi-reticle capability.

• Fully enclosed pistol-style designs
• Integrated solar panel for auxiliary power and extended runtime
• Multi-reticle: 2-MOA dot, 32-MOA circle, or dot-circle combo
• Approximate battery life: MICRO: ~70,000 hours, MACRO: ~100,000 hours
• Reticle color options: red, green, or gold
• MSRP: $437-$445

Holosun - 507-PROMAX
Open-emitter pistol red dot

• Multi-reticle: selectable 2-MOA dot, 6-MOA dot, circle, or dot-circle configuration
• Large viewing window for enhanced peripheral awareness
• Solar-failover power system paired with CR2032 battery for multi-year runtime
• Eight daylight brightness settings and 4 NV-compatible modes
• Weather- and shock-resistant sealed aluminum housing
• MSRP $470-$505

Holosun - ARO-EVO-DUAL & AEMS-EVO-DUAL (Dot, Laser, IR combo)

• Dual-reticle: dot, circle, or dot-circle plus IR and green laser designator.
• Solar-failover with CR2032 backup battery
• Eight daylight and four NV-compatible brightness settings
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Rugged sealed aluminum housing with recessed emitter for debris, moisture, and recoil protection
• MSRP: $588-$823

Holosun - Direct mount Optics — no adapter plate required. 
Featured on Walther PDP and Glock Gen 5 MOS

• Glock MOS, Walther PDP, CZ P10, HK VP9, M&P 2.0, & P320 direct mounting
• Very low co-witness mount height
• Multiple Reticle System: 2-MOA dot, 32-MOA circle, or dot-circle combo
• 20K hour reserve solar failsafe with internal rechargeable battery for near-indefinite operation under normal light exposure
• Auto/self-adjusting brightness with override function for high-brightness lockout
• Internal battery level indicator and Super Green LED for high efficiency and visibility
• MSRP: $412

Infitac - Fast Mini FMP13 (Thermal Pistol Sight) 
Featured on Caracal CAR814 A2 11.5-inch PATROL 

• Ultra-compact thermal optic for handguns and rifles
• RMR footprint for broad slide and frame compatibility
• Multiple thermal color palettes and adjustable reticles/reticle colors
• Detection range up to ~740 yards in thermal mode
• CR2 battery powered
• Among the smallest thermal options for both handgun and rifle use
• MSRP: $799

Osight XR Enclosed Red Dot (Olight / Osight)
A 2026 enclosed pistol reflex sight from Olight’s Osight line, built around an RMR footprint.

• Multi-reticle system: 2- and 6-MOA dots plus a 32-MOA circle
• Fully enclosed emitter with RMR footprint
• Patented magnetic charging cover that recharges the optic without removing it (preserving zero)
• Motion-activated illumination for instant wake and extended battery life
• MSRP: ~ $299.99.

Primary Arms Optics - PLx HTX-1 Enclosed Reflex Sight

• American-made enclosed reflex sight with rugged housing
• Patent-pending modular chassis with broad mounting compatibility across most optics-ready pistols - RMR and MOS direct mount
• Very low optical centerline for true co-witness with standard iron sights
• ACSS Vulcan and Dot reticle options
• AutoLive motion-activated illumination
• 20,000 hour battery life - CR2023
• MSRP: ~ $749–$799 (varies by reticle).

Primary Arms Optics - GLx 1× & 2× Prism Scopes – ACSS Reticles
Featured on Caracal CMP 9mm 1x GLx

• Compact hard use fixed-1× and 2× prism optics
• ACSS Cyclops & CQB-M5 reticle calibrated for 5.56 / .308 / 5.45
• Optimized for close-to-mid-range use on duty and patrol rifles
• Enhanced glass quality and AutoLive illumination
• MSRP: ~ $389.99
  Product URL: (GLx 2× Prism Scope page)

SIG SAUER Electro-Optics - ROMEO8T-AMR
Featured on the IWI Galil Ace 7.62x39 Gen 2 

• 1×40 mm enclosed lens red-dot released June 2025
• Built around Automatic Modified Reticle tech
  • Automatically switches between reticle/brightness profiles when a compatible JULIET-AMR magnifier is engaged/disengaged
  • Allows one reticle/brightness for unmagnified use and a different pattern/hold for magnified use
• 15 illumination settings: 12 daylight + 3 NV
• MOTAC motion activation for power saving
• ~50,000-hour runtime, CR123 battery
• MIL-STD-810 durability; IPX8 waterproof/fogproof
• MSRP ~$1,100 (AMR + Juliet-AMR)

Trijicon - MRO SD

• 2-MOA dot with multiple brightness settings including NV-compatible modes
• Reticle and glass optimized for reduced glare and suppressed use
• Low-deck footprint for co-witness on ARs or direct-mount options

Vortex Optics Shotgun Enclosed Micro Red Dot

• Purpose-built for shotguns, with a direct-to-receiver mount.
• 3-MOA red-dot; optional multi-reticle system offering 32-MOA and 65-MOA circles
• CR2032 battery, ~50,000-hour runtime
• Motion activation and auto-shutoff features
• 12 brightness settings (10 daylight + 2 NV)

Overall Trend

The red-dot market is maturing fast with innovative features, extreme durability and better mounts, all of which help deliver long-term confidence in optic performance. Enclosed emitters, smarter power systems (solar, motion-activation, sleep modes), and application-specific designs (suppressed rifles, turkey guns, micro-compacts, thermal pistol sights) are defining this generation of optics, with nearly every major manufacturer pushing into more durable, flexible and user-friendly designs.

*Note this is not a comprehensive list and features those manufacturers who responded based on our pre-SHOT show new red-dot model requests.